WAYNE — The crowd at Shomrei Torah Monday night was reminiscent of a holiday, one congregant said.

The occasion was far more solemn, though, as hundreds of people came to the synagogue to remember the 11 people killed in Pittsburgh Saturday. Robert Bowers was accused of opening fire in the Pittsburgh synagogue.

"This was an attack on Jews and Judaism," Barry Blecherman, president of Shomrei Torah Wayne Conservative Congregation, said. "This was also an attack on 298 years of the founding American principle of religious liberty.

"This was an attack on each of us here."

Authorities say Bowers, armed with a semiautomatic rifle and three Glock .357 handguns, burst into the Tree of Life Congregation Synagogue on Saturday, shouting anti-Semitic epithets and opening fire on the congregants.

The vigil Monday was interfaith with several houses of worship in Wayne. Community leaders took turns speaking before lighting a candle in memory of each of the 11 people killed in Pittsburgh.

"You are not alone," the Rev. Andy Smith of Grace United Presbyterian Church said to the crowd.

Sukanya Srinivasan, 46, watches as hundreds gather during a vigil outside the Jewish Community Center in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh Saturday night. Srinivasan, a resident since 1997, said, "Squirrel Hill is so inclusive, you’d never imagine something like this to ever happen here." Neil Strebig

Cecilia Obermeier, 31, right, hands out heart stickers Saturday during a candlelight vigil for shooting victims at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. "It is just a simple reminder to people that we need simple acts of kindness," Obermeier said. Neil Strebig

Residents gather outside of the Sixth Presbyterian Church, located just across the street from the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Saturday during a candlelight vigil mourning the victims of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting. Neil Strebig

Anne-Marie Silver, left, Mara Silver and Beth Silver, all members of Congregation Dor Hadash, which makes its home at the Tree of Life building, attend a candlelight vigil in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh Saturday. Neil Strebig

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Wayne Mayor Chris Vergano was planning to take Monday off from community events to spend time with his family, but he said he thought of the Pittsburgh victims who will never have that chance again.

"We cannot and will not tolerate this type of behavior," Vergano said.

Wayne Police Capt. Laurence Martin said the department is ready to "respond immediately" following national tragedies.

"We will never retreat from our responsibilities to protect our citizens and visitors regardless of religious practice, race, creed or life style choice," Martin said.

Those in attendance Monday mourned together, while also wanting action.

"My first thoughts were not again," said Erin Gilgur of Wayne. "There needs to be something done."

David Spiegalglas lived in Israel before coming to the United States 28 years ago. Spiegalglas, now a Wayne resident, said he was visiting Virginia in 2007 near the time of the Virginia Tech shooting as well.

"Things like that will happen until someone does something," he said.

Sam Lampert said he thought it was important to attend the vigil to show his support.

"I can't find the words but they're strong ones," he said of his reaction to the Pittsburgh shooting, before deciding on the word "unconscionable."